Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: insect

As the 12th century church, dedicated to Saint Dalmazy, was locked, I had some time to look around and discovered these two different species of insects.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. I have no idea, what exactly threse creatures are. Mating insects? Fighting bugs? Whatever these little critters may be - is there a story behind them?

Not much is known about the history of Saint-Denis. The first documents mentioning it, are only a few centuries old. It was probably erected within the 12th century, but modified and enlarged during the next centuries. Mid of the 19th century the structure was ruined and ready for demolition. In 1862, the nave was separated from transept and choir. It got renovated and the local school opened here. Soon after, the mairie moved, later apartments for the teachers were built. The rest of the ruined structure got restored and since then serves the parish again. Some parts of the first Romanesque church survived the times and all later modifications. This is clearly younger and got created, when the transept got Gothic vaults. There are three icons. To the left is a peasant with a spade and a sickle. The right one may depicts the head of a bull/cow. The creature in the center is a large, four legged flying insect. Probably an unknown chimera. All together may stand for a noble house, a family that funded the vaulting.

Trying to find a perfect pov, to picture the facade of the Romanesque parish church Saint-Georges, I met this colourful bug.Can anybody identify the little critter?

Walking through the mediterranian area in summer brings a lot of different sights and smells. The fauna has some surprises to offer as well. I do not know, what species this insects is, but it was as giant, as it looks. And it moved pretty fast. I was so fascinated by the critter, that I lost my way, as the since 2011 the "chemin" does a kind of detour. I noticed that after about an hour - and had to walk back.